_Jup._ Not so, my love; but these obstreperous tongues Have snatched their answers first; they will be heard; And surely Jove would never answer prayer That woman made, but only to be freed From their eternal noise. Make haste to bed; There let me tell my story, in thy arms; There, in the gentle pauses of our love, Betwixt our dyings, ere we live again, Thou shalt be told the battle, and success; Which I shall oft begin, and then break off; For love will often interrupt my tale, And make so sweet confusion in our talk, That thou shalt ask, and I shall answer things, That are not of a piece; but patched with kisses, And sighs, and murmurs, and imperfect speech; And nonsense shall be eloquent, in love. _Brom._ [_To_ PHÆDHA.] My lord is very hot upon it: this absence is a great friend to us poor neglected wives; it makes us new again. _Alc._ I am the fool of love; and find within me The fondness of a bride, without the fear. My whole desires and wishes are in you. _Phæd._ [_Aside._] My lady's eyes are pinking to bed-ward too: now is she to look very sleepy, counterfeiting yawning,--but she shall ask me leave first. _Alc._ Great Juno, thou, whose holy care presides Over the nuptial bed, pour all thy blessings On this auspicious night! _Jup._ Juno may grudge; for she may fear a rival In those bright eyes; but Jupiter will grant, And doubly bless this night. _Phæd._ [_Aside._] But Jupiter should ask my leave first, were he here in person. _Alc._ Bromia, prepare the bed: The tedious journey has disposed my lord To seek his needful rest. [_Exit_ BROMIA. _Phæd._ 'Tis very true, madam; the poor gentleman must needs be weary; and, therefore, it was not ill contrived, that he must lie alone to-night, to recruit himself with sleep, and lay in enough for to-morrow night, when you may keep him waking. _Alc._ [_To_ JUPITER.] I must confess, I made a kind of promise.---- _Phæd._ [_Almost crying._] A kind of promise, do you call it? I see you would fain be coming off. I am sure you swore to me, by Jupiter, that I should be your bedfellow; and I'll accuse you to him, too, the first prayers I make; and I'll pray o' purpose, too, that I will, though I have not prayed to him this seven years. _Jup._ O, the malicious hilding! _Alc._ I did swear, indeed, my lord. _Jup._ Forswear thyself; for Jupiter but laughs At lovers' perjuries. _Phæd._ The more shame for him, if he does: there would be a fine god, indeed, for us women to worship, if he laughs when our sweethearts cheat us of our maidenheads. No, no, Jupiter is an honester gentleman than you make of him. _Jup._ I'm all on fire; and would not lose this night, To be the master of the universe.